Grafton Township, LaGrange fire departments receive funds to enhance radio communications systems

Two Lorain County fire departments will receive funds to enhance their radio communications systems, according to a news release.

Ohio State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon announced the recipients Dec. 11 of the 2025 MARCS (Multi-Agency Radio Communications System) Grant, the release said.

The Grafton Township Fire and Rescue will receive $50,000, and LaGrange Fire and Rescue was awarded $19,768, according to the release.

This grant cycle, 229 fire departments in 71 counties across the state will receive a combined total of nearly $4 million, the release said.

Fire departments will receive those funds in early 2025, according to the release.

The MARCS radio system provides statewide, secure, reliable public service wireless communication for first responders, the release said.

The system allows first responders to seamlessly communicate with each other, as well as with other agencies responding to an incident, the release said.

Costs to acquire and operate the advanced MARCS radio system technology can be significant, which highlights the importance of these grants in helping to ensure fire departments can access these valuable tools, the release said.

“Funding from these grants will give departments access to MARCS radios that they otherwise might not be able to purchase,” Reardon said in the release. “Having first responders use these radios improves emergency services for departments around the state, allowing them to better serve their communities and save lives.”

The MARCS Grant is available annually to fire departments with service areas of 25,000 residents or less, according to the release.

Up to $50,000 per department is available through the grant.

Priority funding goes to departments applying as part of a regional or countywide effort, as well as departments that show they are prepared to immediately begin using the MARCS radios upon receiving the award.

Since 2020, the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal has awarded approximately $20.5 million to fire departments across the state through the MARCS Grant, according to the release.

For additional details on the MARCS grant as well as other grant funding awarded by the division, visit SFM’s new interactive grants dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMDashboard.

Launched earlier this year, the dashboard allows users to easily search and explore awarded grants across various categories including MARCS, equipment, and training., the release said.